This news article answers your questions.

https://www.thenassauguardian.com/news/…

I'm very confused by this. On what legitimate basis could the Police Commissioner meet with gang members? It is a crime to belong to a gang; yes, we have a very elaborate law against gang membership. If the Police Commissioner knows that particular individuals are in gangs and met with them on that basis, why did he not have them arrested? More and more we are seeing why lawlessness abounds in our country. We have laws but don't enforce them.

I'm somehow not seeing how to edit my post. The word "additional" should be adult. Sorry for any confusion caused!

Legally, a child is anyone below the age of majority, which is 18 in The Bahamas. It used to be 21. Societies define it differently. The United Nations defines child as anyone under the age of 18.

Maturity is a different issue, but it is subjective. The easiest approach is to use an objective standard to measure adulthood. Currently, that objective standard is age 18.

The legal age of marriage in The Bahamas is 18. Children who are 15 but younger than 18 may be married ONLY IF they have either the consent of an additional who is responsible of them, and in the absence of such consent by judicial consent. Only if a child in the aforementioned circumstances is widowed or divorced (meaning that although they are under age 18 they had previously been married with parental or judicial consent), no consent is needed for any subsequent under age marriage. The minimum age at which judicial and parental consent may be given is 15.

Excellent piece, Alicia. Thanks for writing it.

I agree that we should not beg the government. However, it is customary for non-profit organizations to receive tax concessions from governments.

I'm all for accountability. I just believe it is unconstitutional for the government to pass a law that requires me to register with it in order to enjoy constitutional freedoms. If you are okay with such a prerequisite, that's fine! To each his own.

It sounds like you plan to go to Fox Hil prison. If you see others when you go there, by God's grace, you won't see me. My life speaks for itself.

It is unconstitutional. We have the right to unhindered freedom of religion [Article 22(1)] and to associate with whom we wish [Article 24(1)]. No government can rise above the constitution and pass a law that dictates a prerequisite (registration with the government) before these constitutional freedoms can be enjoyed. It just does not work that way in a constitutional democracy. I have zero issue with churches and NPOs being required to be registered with the government if they wish to be treated preferentially under the law. By the way, Kingdom Life Church commenced in 1990 and was incorporated under the Companies Act and licensed by the Ministry of Finance as a non-profit association. I have long advocated and still advocate for churches to be registered with the government in order to receive government concessions. But no group of people should be required to be registered with the government in order to enjoy freedoms granted under the constitution. I have no doubt that if this matter goes to the court, Section 7(1) of the NPO Bill/Act will be stuck down as being unconstitutional.